A spokesperson for Eurotunnel in France confirmed to Mashable that a person was found unconscious near the track on the French side of the channel, adding that police and other emergency services were called immediately.

"It's a shame that such an event happened," the spokesperson added. "It confirmed that trying to get through the channel illegally is very dangerous."

The young man, believed to be from east Africa, is thought to be aged between 15 and 17, according to BBC News. However the Wall Street Journalsaid he could be 16 to 20 years old.

The Calais prefecture's office told The Associated Press the man's body was discovered around 2 a.m. Thursday by rescue workers near the tracks. He was hit by a freight train.

About a dozen migrants have died since this summer near Calais, where they are camped in hopes of reaching a better life in Britain. Britain and France have reinforced security at the entrance of the Tunnel linking the two countries after a series of attempts to rush the site en masse.

Mashable has reached out to French officials in Calais for further information.

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